Mezzanine-type electrical connector

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of a mezzanine-type electrical connector comprises a first connector half for mounting on a first circuit substrate. The first connector half comprises a first connector body and a first electrically-conductive member mounted in the first connector body for conducting electrical power from a plurality of locations on the first circuit substrate. A preferred embodiment also comprises a second connector half for mounting on a second circuit substrate and mating with the first connector half. The second connector half comprises a second connector body and a second electrically-conductive member mounted in the second connector body for conducting electrical power to a plurality of locations on the second circuit substrate. The second power contact strip contacts the first power contact strip when the first and second connector halves are mated.

1. A mezzanine-type electrical connector, comprising:
 a first connector half for mounting on a first circuit substrate, the first connector half comprising a first connector body, a first plurality of signal contacts mounted in the first connector body for conducting electrical signals, and a first electrically-conductive member mounted in a slot formed in the first connector body for conducting electrical power, the first electrically-conductive member comprising a body portion, attachment features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion for electrically and mechanically coupling the first electrically-conductive member to a plurality of locations on the first circuit substrate, and mating features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion; and  
 a second connector half for mounting on a second circuit substrate and mating with the first connector half in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the second substrate, the second connector half comprising a second connector body having a barrier formed from a dielectric material, a second plurality of signal contacts mounted in the second connector body for conducting electrical signals, and a second electrically-conductive member mounted in a slot formed in the second connector body for conducting electrical power, the second electrically-conductive member comprising a body portion, attachment features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion of the second electrically-conductive member for electrically and mechanically coupling the second electrically-conductive member to a plurality of locations on the second circuit substrate, and mating features electrically and mechanically coupled to the body portion of the second electrically-conductive member, the barrier being located between the second electrically-conductive member and the second plurality of signal contacts, wherein the mating features of the second electrically-conductive member engage the mating features of the first electrically-conductive member, each of the first plurality of signal contacts mates with a respective one of the second plurality of signal contacts, and the barrier becomes disposed in a recess formed in the first connector body and having a share substantially similar to the shape of the barrier so that the first and second plurality of signal contacts are substantially electrically isolated from the first and second electrically-conductive members when the first and second connector halves are mated.  
 
     
     
       2. The electrical connector of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment features of the first electrically-conductive member comprise a first plurality of attachment tabs, the mating features of the first electrically-conductive member comprise a plurality of mating tabs, the attachment features of the second electrically-conductive member comprise a second plurality of attachment tabs, and the mating features of the second electrically-conductive member comprise a contact blade. 
     
     
       3. The electrical connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first plurality of attachment tabs and the plurality of mating tabs are mechanically coupled to the body portion of the first electrically-conductive member in a staggered arrangement so that each of the first plurality of attachment tabs is offset from each of the plurality of mating tabs. 
     
     
       4. The electrical connector of  claim 3 , wherein a surface of the first connector body that defines the slot has a plurality of projections formed thereon, the projections being positioned so that each of the projections contacts the body portion of the first electrically-conductive member at a location between locations on the body portion of the first electrically-conductive member where the body portion of the first electrically-conductive member adjoins a respective one of the first plurality of attachment tabs and a respective one of the mating tabs. 
     
     
       5. The electrical connector of  claim 2 , wherein a total number of the mating tabs is one less than a total number of the first plurality of attachment tabs. 
     
     
       6. The electrical connector of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first connector half further comprises a first plurality of fusible elements each being fixed to a respective one of the first plurality of attachment tabs for electrically and mechanically coupling the first plurality of attachment tabs to the plurality of locations on the first circuit substrate; and  
 the second connector half further comprises a second plurality of fusible elements each being fixed to a respective one of the second plurality of attachment tabs for electrically and mechanically coupling the second plurality of attachment tabs to the plurality of locations on the second circuit substrate.  
 
     
     
       7. The electrical connector of  claim 2 , wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of mating tabs engage opposing sides of the contact blade when the first and second connector halves are mated. 
     
     
       8. A connector system for electrically coupling a first and a second circuit substrate, comprising:
 a receptacle for mounting on the first circuit substrate, the receptacle comprising a receptacle body, a first power contact strip mounted in the receptacle body for electrically contacting a first plurality of electrical contact points on the first circuit substrate and conducting electrical power, and a first plurality of signal contacts mounted in the receptacle body for electrically contacting a second plurality of electrical contact points on the first circuit substrate and conducting electrical signals; and  
 a plug for mounting on the second circuit substrate and mating with the receptacle in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the second substrate the plug comprising a plug body, a second power contact strip mounted in the plug body for electrically contacting a first plurality of electrical contact points on the second circuit substrate and conducting electrical power, and a second plurality of signal contacts mounted in the plug body for electrically contacting a second plurality of electrical contact points on the second circuit substrate and conducting electrical signals, wherein the first power contact strip contacts the second power contact strip and each of the first plurality of signal contacts contacts a respective one of the second plurality of signal contacts when the receptacle and the plug are mated; and one of the receptacle and plug bodies comprises a barrier formed from a dielectric material and located between one of the first and second power contact strips and one of the first and second plurality of signal contacts, and the other of the receptacle and plug bodies has a recess formed therein for receiving the barrier and having a shape substantially similar to a shape of the barrier so that the first and second plurality of signal contacts are substantially electrically isolated from the first and second contact power strips when the receptacle and the plug are mated.  
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first power contact strip comprises a body portion, a plurality of mating tabs adjoining the body portion, and a first plurality of attachment tabs adjoining the body portion for electrically contacting the first plurality of electrical contact points; and  
 the second power contact strip comprises a body portion, a contact blade adjoining the body portion of the second power contact strip for engaging the plurality of mating tabs when the receptacle and the plug are mated, and a second plurality of attachment tabs adjoining the body portion of the second power contact strip for electrically contacting the second plurality of electrical contact points.  
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of attachment tabs and the plurality of mating tabs are mechanically coupled to the body portion of the first power contact strip in a staggered arrangement so that each of the first plurality of attachment tabs is offset from each of the plurality of mating tabs. 
     
     
       11. A connector system for electrically coupling a first and a second circuit substrate, comprising:
 a receptacle for mounting on the first circuit substrate and comprising a receptacle body, a first plurality of signal contacts mounted in the receptacle body for conducting electrical signals, and a first power contact strip mounted in a slot formed in the receptacle body for conducting electrical power, the first power contact strip comprising a body portion, a plurality of attachment tabs adjoining the body portion for being electrically and mechanically coupled to respective electrical-connection pads on the first circuit substrate, and plurality of mating tabs adjoining the body portion; and  
 a plug for mounting on the second circuit substrate and mating with the receptacle in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the second substrate the plug comprising a plug body, a second plurality of signal contacts mounted in the plug body for conducting electrical signals, and a second power contact strip mounted in a slot formed in the plug body for conducting electrical power, the second power contact strip comprising a body portion, a plurality of attachment tabs adjoining the body portion of the second power contact strip for being electrically and mechanically coupled to respective electrical-connection pads on the second circuit substrate, and a contact blade adjoining the body portion of the second power contact strip, wherein the mating tabs engage the contact blade, each of the first plurality of signal contacts contacts a respective one of the second plurality of signal contacts when the plug and the receptacle are mated; and one of the receptacle body and the plug body comprises a barrier formed from a dielectric material and located between one of the first and second power contact strips and one of the first and second plurality of signal contacts, and the other of the receptacle body and the plug body has a recess formed therein and having a shape substantially similar to a share of the barrier for receiving the barrier when the receptacle and the plug are mated.  
 
     
     
       12. The connector system of  claim 11 , wherein the attachment tabs of the first power contact strip and the mating tabs are mechanically coupled to the body portion of the first power contact strip in a staggered arrangement so that each of the attachment tabs of the first power contact strip is offset from each of the mating tabs. 
     
     
       13. The connector system of  claim 12 , wherein a surface of the receptacle body that defines the slot has a plurality of projections formed thereon, the projections being positioned so that each of the projections contacts the body portion of the first power contact strip at a location between locations on the body portion of the first power contact strip where the body portion of the first power contact strip adjoins a respective one of the attachment tabs of the first power contact strip and a respective one of the mating tabs. 
     
     
       14. The connector system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the receptacle further comprises a first plurality of fusible elements each being fixed to a respective one of the plurality of attachment tabs of the first power contact strip for electrically and mechanically coupling the plurality of attachment tabs of the first power contact strip to the respective electrical-connection pads on the first circuit substrate; and  
 the plug further comprises a second plurality of fusible elements each being fixed to a respective one of the plurality of attachment tabs of the second power contact strip for electrically and mechanically coupling the plurality of attachment tabs of the second power contact strip to the respective electrical-connection pads on the second circuit substrate.  
 
     
     
       15. The connector system of  claim 11 , wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of mating tabs engage opposing sides of the contact blade when the receptacle and the plug are mated. 
     
     
       16. The connector system of  claim 11 , wherein a total number of the mating tabs is one less than a total number of the plurality of attachment tabs of the first power contact strip. 
     
     
       17. A mezzanine-type electrical connector, comprising:
 a first connector half for mounting on a first circuit substrate, the first connector half comprising a first connector body, a first plurality of signal contacts mounted in the first connector body for conducting electrical signals, and a first electrically-conductive member mounted in the first connector body for conducting electrical power from a plurality of locations on the first circuit substrate; and  
 a second connector half for mounting on a second circuit substrate and mating with the first connector half in a direction substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the second substrate the second connector half comprising a second connector body a second plurality of signal contacts mounted in the second connector body for conducting electrical signals, and a second electrically-conductive member mounted in the second connector body for conducting electrical power to a plurality of locations on the second circuit substrate, wherein the second power contact strip contacts the first power contact strip and each of the first plurality of signal contacts contacts a respective one of the second plurality of signal contacts when the first and second connector halves are mated; and one of the first and second connector bodies comprises a barrier formed from a dielectric material and located between one of the first and second electrically-conductive members and one of the first and second plurality of signal contacts, and the other of the first and second connector bodies has a recess formed therein and having a shape substantially similar to a shape of the barrier for receiving the barrier when the first and second connector halves are mated.  
 
     
     
       18. The electrical connector of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first electrically-conductive member comprises a body portion, a plurality of mating tabs adjoining the body portion, and a first plurality of attachment tabs adjoining the body portion for electrically contacting the plurality of locations on the first circuit substrate; and  
 the second electrically-conductive member comprises a body portion, a contact blade adjoining the body portion of the second power contact strip for engaging the plurality of mating tabs when the first and second connector halves are mated, and a second plurality of attachment tabs adjoining the body portion of the second power contact strip for electrically contacting the plurality of locations on the second circuit substrate.  
 
     
     
       19. The electrical connector of  claim 18 , wherein the first plurality of attachment tabs and the plurality of mating tabs are mechanically coupled to the body portion of the first electrically-conductive member in a staggered arrangement so that each of the first plurality of attachment tabs is offset from each of the plurality of mating tabs.